XML Specification Automation for Document Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technical specifications in various industries are static and duplicative, with related information often being treated as separate documents that can become out-of-spec, leading to inefficiencies and dis-synchronization.
Innovation Solution
The use of XML technology and data modeling languages to integrate metadata into main specifications, allowing for the creation of multiple related documents as logical sub-components, enabling simultaneous editing and automatic linking, and eliminating the need for separate standalone documents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If related information is treated as separate standalone documents, then each document can be edited independently, but the documents become out-of-spec and out-of-sync with the main specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges related information from separate documents into a single master specification document using XML format. Related information is stored as structured data elements within the master spec, eliminating the need for separate standalone documents and ensuring all information remains synchronized and compliant with the governing specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The master specification document serves multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as the governing specification, contains related information, provides data for multiple documents, and maintains consistency across all references. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate documents while preserving editing flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If related information is duplicated across multiple documents, then each document is self-contained, but information redundancy increases and synchronization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts related information from multiple separate documents and consolidates it into structured data elements within the master specification. This extraction eliminates redundancy while preserving the self-contained nature of the master document, which now serves as the single source of truth for all related information.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of duplicating information across multiple documents, the patent creates a single master specification that can be referenced and displayed in multiple views. The same underlying data structure serves multiple purposes, eliminating the need for repeated copies of related information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate documents are used for specifications and related information, then each document can be optimized for its specific purpose, but the overall system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the master specification into structured data elements and sections that can be selectively displayed and processed. This segmentation allows the system to present information in different formats and views for different purposes while maintaining a single unified data structure, thereby reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a flat document structure to a hierarchical XML data model that organizes information in multiple dimensions. This dimensional organization allows related information to be stored efficiently and retrieved in various configurations, reducing the need for multiple separate documents and simplifying system management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of leveraging XML (eXtensible Markup Language) Technology, or similar modeling languages such as ontology definition languages, to provide attribution and multi-node data modeling, object orientation, classes, and linkage capabilities of such languages and technologies, specifically for authoring new and translating existing technical specifications in such a way that the base text content is augmented with additional information such as metadata, in such a way that other sub-specifications, data sheets, inspection and quality assurance documents, etc., do not need to be written separately, but instead become logical sub-components of the governing specifications themselves.